Nicola Sturgeon

“Books were a huge part of my childhood and I enjoyed imagining the worlds created within them and bringing them to life in my mind. I still enjoy reading the latest novel by my favourite authors, such as Val McDermid, or researching topics which are of interest to me, such as politics, political history and life sciences.

“I passionately believe reading books can open up opportunities for all – especially for our children by improving literacy and numeracy, exciting their minds and allowing them to get creative and engage with stories. It’s why the Scottish “Government continues to invest in Bookbug and PlayTalkRead to introduce children to books at an early age and into later life. Many adults relax and are entertained through reading, as well as using them to develop their own knowledge and skills.

“The world of books has so many key players, from authors and their characters, to teachers and librarians, not to mention readers themselves; it is easy to see why books remain popular. It’s a collective group of people who continue to provide that for millions across the world and they all deserve praise.

“For me, a life without books and a life without reading would not be a life worth living.”

Val McDermid (Image: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images)

“My ThankBooks goes to the Central Library in Kirkcaldy.

“We moved to live opposite the library when I was six. I grew up in a working class household where there wasn’t much money for books, they were a luxury that we couldn’t afford. So, for me, living opposite the Central Library was a lifeline. It became my home from home. I would go there every night after school to borrow books and I just read my way around the library. The librarians were amazing, staunch and supportive. It’s hard to imagine what my life would have been like without that introduction to books at such a young age. That library gave me my life.

“One of the books I discovered there was a graphic novel edition of Treasure Island, a story which proved to be a great revelation for me. I thought it was an amazing tale with fantastic characters, so I sought out the book and it’s remained one of my touchstones ever since. It’s a book I go back to again and again. To me it’s the book that has everything – great story, great characters, great settings, and above all great writing. Whenever I go back to it I always find something fresh or something to catch my attention that I hadn’t noticed before.

Lorraine Kelly (Image: ITV)

“My ThankBooks would go to my mum and dad. I was lucky enough to be taught how to read and write by them when I was four, before I went to primary school. I can’t thank them enough for giving me a love of books, it was the best gift ever. There is nothing better than curling up with a good book and disappearing into a story that enthrals you and makes you want to keep turning the pages. Our house was always full of books and I will need an entire removal van just for my books alone if we ever decide to move.”

Jack Vettriano (Image: Chris James/PA Wire)

“His depiction of the human condition has touched me more than my words can say.

“That he wrote in a time when his needs were unlawful says more about our society than it does about him. Of Human Bondage is in my opinion a masterpiece.”

AUTHOR ANDY MCNAB

“My ThankBooks goes to the Officer who basically taught me to read and write as a junior soldier.

“I was 16 when I joined the army, straight from juvenile detention.

“I thought I was going to be a helicopter pilot, but it only took a day or two for everyone to realise that most of my intake could hardly tie up our shoelaces, let alone fly helicopters.

“We had the average reading age of an eleven year old (sadly that is still the case with infantry recruits).

“When I attempted to read (mainly the sports pages of tabloid newspapers - I wasn’t exactly frequenting the library), I was making words up and filling in the blanks, and often I would be getting it wrong.

“The day that I met that Army Educator changed my life. He walked into a classroom full of young soldiers and said, ‘Lads, the people out there, the other side of the wire, think you are thick, but you aren’t. You can’t read because you don’t read. And today that all changes’.

“He actually used slightly more colourful language, but I’m sure you get the gist.”